AFC Macclesfield take pole position

League Two

AFC Macclesfield v Warrington Town Reserves was the only Cheshire League fixture to survive the bad weather that has plagued the league since December.

Another genuine six pointer, this was AFC Macclesfield’s biggest game of the season to date against promotion rivals Warrington Town Reserves. The teams played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Warrington earlier in the season and this game was destined to be no different with a top spot in League Two, the prize.

From the kick off , both teams played good football but both squandered early chances. It was mid-way through the first half when the deadlock was broken. Macclesfield broke out from defence in numbers, and after the Warrington keeper pulled off some fine saves, it broke to Jonny Cavanagh and on his second attempt; he found the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

AFC Macclesfield sat back and invited pressure which led to a golden opportunity for Warrington to get back on terms. Their front man went one on one with Macclesfield's goalkeeper Dom Chell but he made himself big and the ball could only find the post. Both keepers were on their game and the score remained 1-0 to Macclesfield at the half time break.

With snow now coming down, Macclesfield were quick out of the blocks at the restart but unfortunately couldn't increase their lead. On the hour, Warrington's leading goal scorer made it 1-1 with an unstoppable effort from outside the area.

Almost immediately, Macclesfield went back in front. With Cavanagh now turning supplier, Jack Banister beat two defenders to lay the ball on to Cavanagh who crossed the ball to find skipper Greg Mathers who headed the ball home. A great response to Warrington’s equaliser!

Midway through the second half, Chell was called into action again and superbly kept Macclesfield in front and on the break, Macclesfield made it 3-1. After a defensive block, the ball broke kindly for midfielder Chris Allen, who controlled the ball and he made it two goals in two games.

Macclesfield again were called into defensive action with Chris Holland taking control of what ever was thrown at hime.

With ten minutes to go, Warrington got themselves back into the game with a well worked free kick to make it 3-2. It was going to be a nervy last few minutes for Macclesfield but Sam Williamson, called into defensive duty for this game, made sure there was no way through.

As the game went into injury time, Warrington were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box after Chell was deemed to have kept hold of the ball too long. Pat Walker was the hero this time, putting his face on the line to stop the shot before the final whistle blew and the home side moved a point clear at the top of the table, still with three games in hand over second place Lostock and three points ahead of their opponents.